The Action Hero's Handbook

July 1, 2002
Picking up where the brilliantly successful Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series left off, the Borgenichts (David co-wrote Worst-Case) present matter-of-fact advice on how to perform James Bond–like stunts with incredible ease. They interviewed doctors, shark hunters, former prisoners, bus drivers, wedding planners, boxing coaches, skydivers, escape artists and a multitude of other experts to provide the best, most succinct tips for a variety of scenarios. The "Good Guy Skills" section is the strongest, as it explains techniques for maneuvers many readers wouldn't have a clue how to execute. There's information on interrogating a suspect, saving a patient who's flatlined, saving someone who's hanging from a cliff and spy-proofing a hotel room. The random facts are oddly intriguing: e.g., to catch a great white shark, don't
chain a chunk of meat to the end of a pier; when a suspect looks to the left during an interrogation, it often means she's lying. The Borgenichts then offer counsel on situations involving love (to stop a wedding, have your speech planned ahead of time), the paranormal (the Jedi mind trick is simple manipulation) and escape (try getting on the wrong train if you need to fake out pursuers at a train station). Throughout, quotes from The Fugitive, The Shawshank Redemption
and other films remind readers how one might find oneself in such predicaments. Almost practical and definitely entertaining, this is one how-to guide Clint Eastwood and Charlie's Angels would not want to be without. (Oct.)Forecast:Based on the accomplishments of the Worst-Case Scenario series, this book—the press's first title—is destined for super sales.